Tag: Hoedown

Tuckahoe Elementary

  • The Night We Saw Them All

    A PAX eclipsing 40 ditched all common sense for about 18 hours to receive a plentiful helping of each of the three Fs.  This was the F3RVA Century Classic.

    YHC has conversed with a number of individual PAX members about their experience, taking notes during the event and thinking about how to transcribe all of these memories into a backblast.  There is no way YHC could do the stories justice by attempting to capture them for the collective PAX.  Then, after chatting with Lockjaw and the (sober) Ronnie, it became clear.  Treat the backblast as a living backblast.  YHC will make no attempt to capture the essence of this workout, only setting the stage for each and every PAX member to capture it for himself.

    My memories are collected below.  I encourage everyone to add to this list by commenting with your favorite memory.

    Leg 1:  Trying to contain my energy for the CSAUP while stuck in traffic for opening night of the squirrels game
    Leg 2:  Praying for Saab on Meadowbridge and Atlee Rd.  Kudos to all that ran that leg, a true game of frogger
    Leg 3:  All the Mechanicsville PAX member who were not running, companion running with the actual runners.  Kudos!
    Leg 4:  The Creek parking lot is great for fellowship.  This truly felt like a tailgate parking lot.  The energy, games and conversation were all electric.
    Leg 5:  The headlamp on my run reflecting all the pollen flying through the air with me initially thinking it was raining.  30 minutes later realizing all that pollen was being sucked into my lungs at an incredible rate.
    Leg 6:  Hearing of TYA and Swirly questioning if YHC actually marked his legs of the course and me telling them where they can shove it.
    Leg 7:  Realizing how peaceful and quiet the city can be when when you are in it and surrounded by trees.  The new moon highlighted the stars and all their brilliance.
    Leg 8:  Showing up to Hoedown and having Ronnie greet us after his enjoyable evening.
    Leg 9:  Marv almost taking out another animal with his running shoes.
    Leg 10:  Thinking about how comfortable it is to try to sleep on the top of a picnic table.
    Leg 11:  Watching the back and forth between Saab complaining about not being able to sleep and Upchuck for waking him up.
    Leg 12:  Waving to the UR security guard while sitting in a white van with 4 men laying on the ground.  He waved and continued by.
    Leg 13:  Marv learning that Fudd was going to show up only for leg 18 and would still get a tshirt.
    Leg 14:  Seeing Lockjaw drive 20 in a 45 on Charter Colony so he could stay between the lines.
    Leg 15:  Reminding Marv that Fudd was still sleeping.
    Leg 16:  Hearing of a certain individual’s multiple escapades to the bathroom at a singular Wawa.
    Leg 17:  Making the van take a 3 mile detour to Wawa so YHC could get a breakfast hoagie, thus missing the final hand-off.
    Leg 18:  Pulling into Dogpile, realizing it was almost over and thinking the whole experience was too fast.

    This humble correspondent would like to thank everyone involved with making this event successful, especially those listed in the QIC list.  Without it, this would have been a completely stupid and utterly failure of an event.

    Splinter out.

  • Triple Dora, whatever

    13 strong came out for Hoedown before the rain came in.  Here is what went down:

    COP – Invisible Jump rope, Don Qs, Merkins, Reverse Crunches, Scorpion Kicks

    Mosey to back field for Triple check – modified to Dora:  100 Burp ups, 200 Jump Squats, 300 LBCs.  Flutterkicks and run other variations.

    Head to blacktop for real Triple Check – Plerkins, Elbow Plank, & Run length of courts.  Back to flag for some mary:  Hells2Heaven, 1 legged APDs, American Hammers, & Windshield wipers.

    Announcements – CSAUP this weekend, Puppy pile next weekend?

    NMS – YHC thought we had the perfect 12 when we saw Mr Holland pull in on the initial mosey.  However Lockjaw made the PAX 13 by magically appearing somehow.  The 100 Burp-Ups took a while as the initial Dora lasted quite a while.

    There were a lot of groans during the Scorpion Kicks in the COP, either backs were cracking in a good way or a bad way.  YHC is happy that Flipper is on our Masters team, word is he might have his magic laser with him this weekend.  The Plerkins on the Triple check might get Flipper some business this week.

    Handshake put in solid work, great to see him at a 3 x’s a week poster now.  On the drive over to the AO YHC saw Slurpee and Kubota running to the AO, always a good sign.

    Thanks for all the encouragement from the PAX as YHC is changing jobs today.  Taking the Q helped me get some nervous energy out and YHC would never dare take such a risk 3 years ago before starting F3.

  • Tangled Up in Blue

    Eleven Hoes came out for a special Spring Break edition of Hoedown.  The story began as follows.

    Mosey up to the blacktop for COP:

    • Russian Soldiers
    • Helicopters
    • Don Quixote
    • SSSH

    Head up to the field for the Beast:

    • WWII
    • Merkins
    • Box Cutters
    • Scorpions
    • One Legged APD
    • Dive Bombers

    Over to the parking lot with 12 spaces for 11s.  Each parking spot represents one progression of 11s with Al Gore in the 12th.  Exercises were Copperhead Squats and 4-Count Mountain Climbers.

    Make our way to the grassy infield of the horseshoe and partner up.  Each partner does 25 PLT and then 8 Boo-Yah merkins.  Cycle through three times until there is smoke from fatigue.

    Over to the school wall for Triple Check – donkey kicks, flutter kicks, and run the horseshoe.

    Head back to grassy infield for Mary – Rosalitas, Hello Dollies, American Hammers.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    Ah, Spring Break.  The quiet in the air without the ambience of kid’s preparing for another week in the school.  No teacher’s rolling in early nor the Monday milk truck tearing down the horseshoe unloading its precious contents of assorted dairy products.  The AO is truly ours.

    Spring Break – Time to work on those guns and abs for beach weather, which is where we focused today.  Safe travels to the Pax on the road this week.

    There was a fair amount of mumble chatter from Saab and about Saab during the COP regarding the usual aspects of his form and so forth.  Mumble chatter ended with the Beast and resumed post workout.

    Some good discussion about CSAUP.  Less than two weeks to go.  Time to train or taper depending on the individual.  Either way, its coming.  Come ready.

    Pucker is taking point on the Tuckahoe Party Zone.  Are there a couple of others (Plush, Keymaster, Ronnie, Two Can….) who can join Pucker?

    Always Be Tapering,

    Lockjaw

     

  • Ride the Ponies

    Ten stallions mounted up for the latest version of The Hoedown.  The school security cameras recorded the following tale:

    The Thang:
    Mosey to the front of the school for the COP.
    Arm circles x10 small, then reverso
    Helicopters x10
    Arm circles x10 big, x5 reverso
    LBC’s x25
    Flutter kicks x25
    T-Release Mercans x10

    Mosey to the Clothes Drop Off Canister

    Partner up
    Round 1: First man bear crawls across parking lot, 5 mercans at the curb
    Second man performs Bernie Sanders on the blacktop hill

    Round 2: First man duck walks across parking lot, 5 Carolina dry docks at the curb
    Second man performs Bernie Sanders on the blacktop hill

    Mosey to Horseshoe for Wild Pony Races

    Partner up.  Just like a rodeo…First man carries second man around the circle.  Switching part-way through permitted…and each man does 5 Dry Docks with each switch.  Teams race for glory.  2 rounds…first round clockwise; second round counter-clockwise.

    Al Gore for the six.

    5 burpees, just ‘cuz.

    Mosey approximately 17 feet to the east for Elevens

    Elevens…4 count mountain climbers and Snow Angels.  Run in between.

    Mosey to Aroma-Mobile to pick up coupons…then to the Wall of Pain

    Individual Triple Check…
    Wonder Bra x20 (Push ’em up, Push ’em out)
    Donkey Kicks x20
    Run the Horseshoe

    Circle Up…Quick Ring of Fire
    Mercans x10

    COT

    Number-am-a, Name-a-rama, Marv took us out

    Announcements:

    The PAX were notified to appear for the CSAUP on April 13.  If you are not already on a team, send a note to HoneyDo.

    Offshore reminded YHC of the 10k Training Team that Offshore, Shakedown, Swiper, Lab Rat, and others are helping with at The Healing Place.  Come join the PAX after Dogpile on Saturday to teach grown adults how to count in cadence during the warm up.  4 or 5 mile run to follow.

    Offshore also shared that there are two clinics on Saturday with the Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities at Bellemeade Community Center.  From 9-11 there is a soccer clinic and 11-1 a kayaking clinic for kids 5-15.   Get in touch with Offshore or give the community center a call at 646-8235 for more details.

    All the talk of kayaking brings back memories of the Gold Medal YHC once received for perfecting the “wet exit.”  Qualifications include a) absolute and utter failure to perform any successful Eskimo rolls, b) executing the secondary method for exiting the boat and remaining alive. By analogy, this is akin to being so bad at parachuting that one perfects the use of the secondary chute.

    NMS:

    Note 1: YHC’s quads are already sore.

    Note 2: With Q-bota & Family on the DL (get better soon!), YHC was inserted as the spot Q for today’s workout.  Nice to get back out with the PAX for a beatdown as YHC has been galavanting across this fine country quite a bit recently.  Nice to see BT this morning at someplace other than an airport (Note: YHC and BT have now bumped into each other in Phoenix and Orlando, neither with a lick of planning).

    Note 3: YHC isn’t sure whether there was limited mumble chatter or perhaps YHC’s hearing is just terrible.  HoneyDo did question the etymology of the term “Bernie Sanders.”  Is it because the PAX “Feel the Bern,” or perhaps because the futility of the exercise is analogous to the futility of socialism (YHC chuckles at the marketing geniuses who created “democratic socialism”).  YHC believes the name comes from the exercise making the PAX feel like old, balding men who can’t walk afterwards.

    Note 4: The PAX crushed the Wild Pony races today.  Special string of roses to Marv who put in a strong final furlong to bring home victory in Round 2.  Well done.

    Final note: Put in a little extra thought this week for Lab Rat and his family…keep his Dad in your prayers.  Hope all goes well, my friend.

  • 1139

    code

    Nine steely eyed quants convened in the cool air this morning for a big data birthday celebration of sorts.  Mosey over to the church parking lot for a quick disclaimer and then COP.  We never left.

    COP
    SSH – x50
    Helicopters – x13
    Russian Soldiers – x13
    Knee Pulls – x13
    LBCx – x50

    The Thang
    Prisoner cell workout.  Everyone grab a parking spot and don’t leave until we complete 1000 exercises.  25 of each of the following exercises, some were in cadence, some OYO.  Repeat the entire sequence for a total of 2 times through.

    1-100 and 501-600
    Star Jacks
    Merkins
    Squats
    WWII

    101-200 and 601-700
    Imperial Walkers (4 count)
    Dips
    Box Jumps
    Flutter Kicks (2 count)

    201-300 and 701-800
    Mountain Climbers (4 count)
    Werkins
    Calf Raises
    Pole Smokers

    301-400 and 801-900
    Hillbillies (4 count)
    Windshield Wipers (4 count)
    Lunges (2 count)
    American Hammer (2 count)

    401-500 and 901-1000
    Tuck Jumps
    Diamond Merkins
    Jump Squats
    Reverse Crunches

    Mosey back to the flag 90 seconds late where YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHC almost forgot he signed up to Q until checking the sign-up sheet just prior to bed.  A few weeks ago YHC had plans for a tribute to all sorts of data as on 3/19/2017 the machine started collecting workout stats on it’s own.  All YHC was able to muster on short notice was a quick tally of 1139.  That is how many workouts have occurred in the RVA region in the last year.  Kind of a mind boggling number when you look at it.  As a tribute, the hoes today did 1139 exercises.  Apologies to the PAX for bringing us in a little late.

    There were definitely some arbitrary exercises in there that were needed to catch our breath from some of the more difficult ones, including the Star Jumps, Windshield Wipers and Tuck Jumps.  The mountain climbers followed by werkins were no joke either.  A real diabolical Q could have turned this into a bloodbath.

    Enjoy the day fellas.  Thanks for tolerating another Splinter Q.

    Announcements
    Honeydo is recruiting for his CSAUP team.  Still time to taper.

    Splinter out.

  • Nine Months in the Weight Room

    Twelve intrepid gladiators entered the ring of Tuckahoe’s finest real estate for a post DST beatdown.  Some of the Pax questioned whether it was really 4:30 or 5:30 as we took off.

    THANG

    Mosey up to field

    COP

    • Copperhead Squats
    • Arm Circles
    • Merkins
    • LBCs
    • Reverse Scorpions
    • SSHs

    Sprint/Mosey

    • Sprint 1 length of field, mosey width/length/width
    • Sprint length/width, mosey length/width
    • Sprint length/width/length, mosey width
    • Sprint entire perimeter of field

    Plankorama

    Mosey to cafeteria

    • 5 minutes of Peoples Chair w/ coupon
    • 4 minutes of Hand Release Merkins
    • 3 minutes of Heels to Heaven
    • 2 minutes of Burpees
    • 1 minute of BTTW/ Chicken Peckers

    Mosey to blacktop

    Triple Check

    • Partner 1 Elbow Plank
    • Partner 2 Dips with feet on back of Partner 1
    • Partner 3 Run to Fence, Backwards Back

    Mosey to Horseshoe

    Inchworm Bearcrawl around Horseshoe

    Mary (FKs, Alphabet)

    Ring of Fire

    Numberama, Nameorama, COT

    MOLESKIN

    YHC was expecting a colder, gloomier morning, but was greeted by perfect sunny and 70ish weather.  Lots of yawns coming from the Pax while waiting for the party to begin.  Marv was questioned about VCU’s post season destination to which he replied, nine months in the weight room.  Later it was revealed that VCU took pity on the lesser fortunate programs and gave up its spot in the dance this year.  Sounds a lot like Giselle explaining to the Brady bunch that you have to share Super Bowls with the rest of the NFL.  Seems a little off, but I’ll take Marv’s word for it.  Keymaster dropped a bomb while his feet were propped up on YHC’s back during the triple check.  YHC would like to lock Keymaster and Wilson in a car together with the windows up and see which one could make the other submit or die first.  Keymaster is the favorite at 10/1.  Great to have Angus back out for the fairweather section of the F3 schedule.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Tuckahoes – need guys to man the Hoedown Party Zone

    F3 Bracket Challenge – Splinter to host again?

  • Dry fields at Hoedown for a change

    A dozen, including a well connected FNG, started their week off in the Gloom. We made the most of dry ground and ample moonlight by:

    COP – Invisible Jump Ropes, Don Qs, Merkins, Scorpion Kicks, Flutterkicks, Helicopters.

    Mosey to field- 4 Corners. 5 Burpees, 10 Merkins, 15 WWII situps, 20 Mtn Climbers. 2nd round increase by 5. 3rd round increase by 5 again. Then hit pull-up bars – 10, 8, and 6.

    Triple check – Donkey Kicks, Box  jumps, run.

    Head to front of school- 4 sets of 20 PLTS. Then some bear crawl for good measure. Back to flag to finish with 3 min of Mary. Wedding Singer ttok us out.

    NMS – Welcome FNG Handshake. Apparently he knows several PAX but Mr Holland gets the credit since he posted with him. YHC wanted to play on the top field for a while because it has been soggy up there for the whole winter.

    Keymaster and Slurpee ran to the AO, ensuring he was not lost like last week. Plush put in solid work in his 2nd week in, great to have him back out.

    Apologies go to Wedding Singer as YHC asked him if he was LIFO but apparently he’d been there the whole time. He’s becoming a hoedown regular. Another apology goes to Ronnie for the PLTs that put a hurting on his injured ass.

    Congrats again to TYA on his 100 miler completion this weekend. There was mumblechatter on if TYA ran his 100 miler faster than Saab’s Cloudsplitter last year.

    Have a great week men!

  • Just a Walk in the Dog Park

    12 redwoods and a FNG showed up for perfect beat down weather.  As typical for Hoedown, it was dark and a little rainy, but 70 and sunny when we started.

    Commence with 6/10ths of a mile run around to Dogwood Park.  Chase the owl away, scan for dogpiles, and a quick disclaimer as well as welcome FNG Jim.

    COP

    • Don Quixote
    • Helicopters
    • Arm Circles
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Invisible Jumprope

    Dora

    • Partner 1 – 100 Monkey Humpers, 200 LBC, 300 Flutter Kicks
    • Partner 2 – Bear Crawl up the hill and come down the hill anyway you want as long as not on two legs.

    Lindsays in the playground – Derkins off of the benches/toys and American Hammers.

    Those with headlights illuminated safe passage across the creek as none of the Pax fell in the water nor fell on the rocks.  This puts us out at the bottom of Lindsay Court.  Partner up.

    • Partner 1 run 4-5 driveways up and back.
    • Partner 2 does standing broad jump up the hill.  Reverso
    • Repeat with Lunges and Russian Soldiers to the top of the hill.

    Mosey over to VSF for Mary:

    • Hello Dollies
    • One Legged APDs (sounds redundant, right?) – left leg and then right leg
    • Rosalitas

    Quick ring of fire.

    Honey Do took us out.

    NMS:

    It was great to have a FNG out today.  The Tuckahoe nano-region was pretty nice with the names today.  Plush lives directly across the street from the AO, which is a good way to continue to join us or have to listen to us in the early morning hours outside his house.  We hope to see him out again soon.

    So it turns out it wasn’t just one owl in the park.  It sounded like several.  While YHC was doing LBCs, I thought about how easy a target we would be for an owl attack.  They were certainly vocal and wanted their park back.  Perhaps Saab can tell us about his owl encounter sometime.

    Nothing much to report on Lindsay other than an overwhelming smell of fruit loops in front of one drive way.  Either we stumbled across a hidden stash of the fine cereal or something else.  After consulting google, Sassafras produces a strong smell similar to fruit loops.  Now we know.

    We returned to the AO and came across a refreshed Keymaster.  It was as if he was impervious to the effects of the workout and it showed in the ring of fire and mary.  #showupontimeorbeleftbehind

    CSAUP is upon us.  Still not to late to join a team.

    ABT,

    Lockjaw

     

     

  • 70 Percent Chance of Rain?

    7 PAX braved the rain for a sloppy beatdown that went something like this:

    THE THANG.  Mosey to the blacktop for COP.  Hammer Dances, Hillbillies, Mountain Climbers, Mariah Careys, V-Ups x20 IC.

    Mosey to the wall next to the gym for triple check.  Walk-Ups, Gas Pumps, and lap around the blacktop.

    Mosey back to the blacktop for two rounds of Touch-A-Bench.  In Round 1, one PAX finds three benches and performs 1, 2, and 3 Box Jump Burpees while the other PAX does 12-count Clockwork Lunges, then flip flop.  In Round 2, one PAX finds three new benches and/or swings and performs 5 Derkins while the other PAX does 12-count Clockwork Lunges, then flip flop.

    Mosey to the lower playground for an incline/decline Curb Crawl.  Bear Crawl down hill and Crawl Bear up hill, perform Merkins up to 5 then back to 1.

    Mosey to the bottom of Lindsay Court and pair up.  One PAX performs exercises while the other runs 4 driveways ahead and runs back, then flip flop.  Exercises were Walk-Up Merkins, Backward Broad Jumps/Ankle-Breakers, Crab Walk.

    Two count from Two Can and mosey back to the bus loop for some Mary.  20 American Hammers IC, then 49 Reverse Crunches IC.  COT

    NMM. YHC heard there was a 70% chance of rain on the way to the AO, and on the way home, heard there was a 90% chance.  PAX arrived home with solid evidence that the actual number is about 10 points north.

    Toucan mentioned that he is participating in Run Ranger Run: https://www.runrangerrun.com/Pretty cool.  YHC thinks TYA could compete with some of the team totals.  Too bad our early moseys were of the Gridiron variety.

    Good to see Goldberg.  YHC thinks he heard Goldberg mention he posted to Punisher in the gloom for a solo beatdown.  Respect.  Hope to see you at Hoedown more often.

    YHC snatched the Q from Upchuck at 5:29, but somehow he took it back at 6:14 for 49 reverse crunches.  Let it go!

    Continued prayers to PAX grieving the loss of family members including Flatline and Lockjaw.

     

  • Asphalt and Concrete Only

    Alternate Title: “Q HAS TIMEKEEPING ISSUES”

    16 pre-dawn warriors decided that the comfort of the fartsack was no match for the determination and dedication of bettering themselves physically, mentally and spiritually.

    This is what went down:

    COP:

    Helicopters x 15

    Don Q’s x 10 (Saab speed)

    SSH x 20

    Russian Soldiers x 10

    Imperial Walkers x 10

    Merkins x10

    Crab cakes x10

    LBC’s x 10

     

    Thang:

    Four Corners on the Asphalt Abyss

    1st corner: 2 count Freddie Mercuries

    carioke to…

    2nd corner: Burpees

    broad jump to…

    3rd corner: Jump Squats

    carioke to…

    4th corner: WW2 sit-ups

    broad jump back to 1st corner

    3 rounds @ 10 reps/20 reps/30 reps each except Burpees (5/10/15)

    Plank-o-rama for the six.

     

    Mosey to Asphalt Hill for…

    Jacob’s Ladder with Clockwork Merkins

    Bear Crawl up to top of hill and perform 1 merkin at one o’clock

    Crawl Bear down to bottom and perform 2 merkins at two o’clock

    Repeat all the way to twelve o’clock.

    Al Gore when finished

     

    Mosey to cafeteria wall for Triple Check

    Partner one does Dwight Howards on wall

    Partner two does LBC’s on concrete

    Partner three runs the bus loop

    Three Rounds

     

    People’s chair to wait for the six

    BTTW, then 10 Chicken Peckers OYO, then BTTW for a nice slow 10 count from Wedding Singer

     

    Mary:

    Hello Dollies

    Heels to Heaven

    Rosalitas

    Hold six inches for a 20 count

     

    Finale:

    Merkin Ring of Fire

    5 Burpees OYO

     

    Number-rama

    Name-a-rama

    YHC took us out with a prayer of thanksgiving for this day and for the brothers of F3.  Lifted up the families of Fudd, Lockjaw, Sippy Cup and Circle K.

     

    NMS:

    YHC started to get worried about the condition of the AO right after Dogpile Saturday when the current monsoon that we are having began.  YHC and Lowery (not an F3 name), YHC’s faithful four-legged 2.0, moseyed up to the AO on Sunday afternoon during a break in the weather.  The field was only suitable for Labradors that love to swim!  YHC had some exercises planned for the field using his BIG CONES, but other plans had to be made.

    16 is one PAX short of tying the record at Hoedown.

    Slurpee and YHC showed up early to the AO because of YHC’s anxiety with EF Hutton already there and ready to go.  Then the cars started rolling in.  I had been expecting a small group and what I got was a large one.  Never underestimate the dedication of your fellow PAX!!

    YHC’s cheap timekeeping device stopped working during Mary and a guess was made after Mary was over that it was 6:15.  YHC called out Number-rama and was quickly told that we had 5 minutes left.  Thus, the Merkin ring-of-fire and Burpees.  YHC also learned that when you Q, 45 minutes seems like an hour!

    YHC was relaxing on his couch Sunday evening when all of a sudden the Tweets came in!  A couple of the PAX(Honeydo and Splinter) tweeted that YHC would have a hard time sleeping last night and that he would be practicing the workout in his head all night.  YHC actually slept well until 3:45am when he woke up and laid there not wanting to miss the alarm clock.

    YHC would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement!  I had a great time and will be putting my name on the Q sheet today for future workouts!  I also want to thank Keymaster for getting me involved in my first F3 workout in October, but it is the rest of you that have kept me coming back!!

    Have a great Monday!!